Our People

Rob Donelson

robd@lshallmanfdn.org

Rob joined the Foundation as the Interim Executive Director in 2023 following a 41-year career leading award-winning advancement programs at four universities and two hospital foundations in three countries. Most recently, Rob served as Executive Director of Advancement at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Prior to this, he was Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations at University College Cork in Ireland, and Vice-President, Development & Alumni Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. He has also led multi-million-dollar campaigns with two hospital foundations. His experience in all aspects of the donor cycle is extensive. Acknowledged for his leadership in the area of charitable accountability, Rob led the first registered charity in Canada to earn the Ethical Fundraising License and the first university to earn the Standards Accreditation Trustmark from Imagine Canada. He served on the board of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE). He was named the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Horseshoe Chapter, and received the Mission Legacy Award of the St. Joseph’s Health System. Rob has a keen interest in international development and was part of a community development project in Nicaragua and served on a national fundraising committee of a Canadian international development agency. He also led Wilfrid Laurier University’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis in the sponsorship of three families. Rob is an avid runner having completed five marathons, including the Boston Marathon.

Garry Haack

ghaack@lshallmanfdn.org

Garry is our Director of Operations and has been with the foundation for more than 18 years. Prior to this, he worked as a site foreman and business owner in the commercial metal roofing and cladding industry. Garry’s deep community roots include 15+ years as a coach and board member with minor sports, spanning football, softball and hockey. He was an active volunteer with Sertoma, a service club dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing, and has also volunteered with the Child Witness Centre.

Claudia Haack

Claudia is our Finance Manager and has been associated with the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation since 2006, when she took on the role of part-time bookkeeper. During that time, she performed an identical role with the Strong Start Charitable Organization.

In addition to her current role with the Foundation, Claudia performs a similar function for Capacity Canada and is employed by Hallman Construction, simultaneously juggling a few different hats.

Claudia has shared her treasury skills as a volunteer with numerous sports and service club organizations over the years including LaSertoma.

In addition to her work in the non-profit sector, she has also worked in her family’s business, where her finance career began.  She holds financial accounting qualifications from Conestoga College.